Hornyhead chub Lakes in Minnesota & Wisconsin
Other SpeciesFound in 31 lakes
Hornyhead chub is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 31 lakes carry documentation. Hornyhead chub is narrowly distributed — only 0 Minnesota lakes and 31 Wisconsin lakes have a documented record. The constraint is usually habitat: cold water, specific depth profile, or river connection.
Rough-fish-dominant lakes are worth checking the grade on: a rough-fish-heavy fishery often reflects an underlying nutrient-loading problem in the watershed. Cross-reference the Hornyhead chub lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Hornyhead chub documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of Hornyhead chub Lakes
Best Hornyhead chub Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with hornyhead chub ranked by overall water quality grade.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have hornyhead chub?
Hornyhead chub are found in 31 lakes across Minnesota and Wisconsin, 0 in Minnesota and 31 in Wisconsin. The average water quality grade of lakes with hornyhead chub is B (Good).
What are the best lakes for hornyhead chub?
The best hornyhead chub lakes by water quality are Sanford Lake, Corey Lake, Avery Lake North Basin; T29nr2e, Avery Lake, Long Lake. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where hornyhead chub have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with hornyhead chub?
Hornyhead chub are most commonly found alongside bluntnose minnow, northern longear sunfish, yellow perch, bluegill, johnny darter. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.